Sporting Witness
Sporting Witness
Defying the Taliban
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April 30, 2020
9 minutes
Available for over a year
In December 2012, Maria Toorpakai Wazir reached the top 50 of women’s squash after an extraordinary struggle to become a professional player. Born in the tribal areas of Pakistan, Maria’s family disguised her as a boy until she was a teenager so she could try sport. After the Taliban discovered her true identity, Maria was threatened and she went into hiding until a Canadian former squash champion got her out of Pakistan. She talks to Ashley Byrne. The programme is a Made-In-Manchester Production.
PHOTO: Maria Toorpakai Wazir (Getty Images)